This may seem like a pretty subjective category, and I'd like to preface this list by saying that it most definitely is. That being said, there are some games that are just empirically good — great graphics, fun to play, great story, whatever. And though some folks might have you believe that Macs aren't meant for gaming, there are actually a ton of awesome titles to choose from.
Jun 07, 2018 Here are the Top 10 Best Mac Platform Games of 2018! Watch more Mac Gaming episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9H5Z-IdZ8M0U5oIAWp24-oJpL5YNYxho.
I'll try and leave out games that you can play on iPhone and iPad unless the Mac is the best place to play 'em.
Here are the best games for Mac!
Note: Make sure you double-check the system requirements for each game before you make a purchase.
Firewatch
Firewatch, at its core, is a mystery game set in the Wyoming wilderness. You play as Henry, a man who decided to give the simpler life a try by joining a fire lookout team. Set in 1989, you watch for smoke during an especially hot, dry summer, aided via radio by your supervisor, Delilah. However, something draws you out of your tower and into the woods, where you must explore the unknown wild, making choices that could make or break your relationship with Delilah.
This is a gorgeous game, with a beautifully crafted open world, true-to-life characters, and a story that changes, depending on the choices you make throughout your story. Cissy Jones from the first season of The Walking Dead plays Delilah, and Henry is portrayed by Rich Sommer of Mad Men fame.
If you're looking for more than just a game — an experience — then Firewatch should be at the top of your to-play list. What starts as a simple game of watching for forest fires becomes a strange, twisty-turny, mystery-filled rabbit hole with new discoveries at every turn. It's like a book you just can't put down.
- $19.99 - Download now
XCOM 2
Set 20 years after XCOM: Enemy Unknown, XCOM 2 continues the turn-based tactics franchise in style, with much of the same gameplay that you love from the first one.
You'll once again play as the Commander, who, until the beginning of the game, was in alien stasis following Earth's surrender to the aliens. Once rescued by Central Officer Bradford, you'll resurrect XCOM and go to town reclaiming Earth from the aliens, one turn at a time.
If you love a good turn-based tactics game and you also love games like Halo or Mass Effect or even the first XCOM game for Mac, definitely check this one out.
- $49.99 - Download now
Life is Strange
Life is Strange is an episodic mystery game of sorts that has you playing as Max Caulfield, a photography students who randomly discovers that she has the ability to rewind time (saves her best friend's life). The pair end up investigating the disappearance of a fellow student, while Max struggles with the realization that altering the past can have consequences in the future.
Essentially, you go through the entire game making choices, and the choices you make can screw things up for you down the road or make life much easier (think Until Dawn). With well-crafted characters and a moving story, Life is Strange is for the folks who like a cinematic experience fraught with emotion (á la Heavy Rain). The first episode is $5 and you can buy subsequent episodes via in-app purchases.
- $4.99, with in-app purchases - Download now
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
This game may be a little old (like first generation Xbox old), but it's a classic and the fact that it's on the Mac is just wonderful. It's 4,000 years before the Galactic Empire and the Sith are just wiping out Jedi left right and central. So, of course, you're the last hope of the Jedi and you have to lead your brothers and sisters in arms in a last stand of sorts against the ultimate evil.
The cool part is you actually get to ultimately choose which side you want to be on, opting to conquer or save your fellow Jedi, using Force powers and sweet lightsaber moves all the way through. You get to customize your character and they change as the game goes on, depending on the choices you make and your style of play (kinda like the Fable series).
If you love an action-packed romp around the cosmos and, of course, Star Wars, then definitely download this right now. Keep in mind that it is an older game, but if you grew up with it like I did, it'll be a nostalgia-filled journey.
- $9.99 - Download now
Limbo
In Limbo, you play as a nameless boy who's unsure of what happened to his sister, so you enter Limbo looking for her, A.K.A. the 'edge of hell'. As the boy, you must journey through Limbo, as you encounter only a few other human characters who either attack you, run away, or are dead. You have to puzzle and platform your way to the end, and I'll be honest: It's rather unsettling.
Like, really unsettling.
There isn't much for a soundtrack, aside from nature sounds and physical sounds of running, jumping, and hits and such. If you're like a dark, creepy game, with a very open ending that's been hotly debated, then definitely check out Limbo. It's unlike anything you've ever played and the lack of a real narrative really gives it its atmosphere. (Watch out for that damn spider… BLECH).
- $9.99 - Download now
Braid
Braid is very similar to one of the most popular games of all time. Get into the actual gameplay, and you'll be like, 'THIS IS JUST SUPER MARIO', but then you'll sit back, listen to the AMAZING soundtrack, notice the little detail in Tim's hair while it flows in the wind when he runs, enjoy the beautiful scenery and interesting-looking enemies, and you'll be like, 'SUPER WHO?'.
In all seriousness, Braid is a lovely little game and it really emphasizes Tim's motives for rescuing the princess without ever saying exactly what they are or what exactly his 'mistake' was. Gameplay is quite simple; it's a Mario-style platformer, and you have to collect puzzle pieces along the way and slowly build a large puzzle in each world.
If you like platformers and love games with out-of-this-world soundtracks, then check out Braid.
- $9.99 - Download now
Thomas Was Alone
Believe it or not, playing a platformer as a faceless rectangle can actually be pretty fun. Of course, the right elements have to be there, like a killer soundtrack and, simply put, absolutely lovely narration by British radio a TV presenter Danny Wallace.
He tells the story of Thomas, a rectangle who is, you guessed it, alone. Thomas has to jump and slide his way through each level, entering a portal each time. Basically, all you can do is move right, left, and jump as you platform along, solving puzzles, and don't forget — the game's called Thomas Was Alone. This get significantly more interesting than you might think at the beginning. Get ready to feel stuff … for shapes. Not even kidding.
- $8.99 - Download now
Doom 3
What's there to be said? It's Doom — on the Mac. You're part of an elite marine division, sent to protect a Martian teleportation facility, and things are hunky dory until you're invaded by 100% evil aliens. So, you're going to have to walk down hallway after hallway, mowing down demonic aliens that can only be described as 'WTF'.
Doom is the classic first-person shooter and this 3D adventure only ups the ante, bringing you further into the world of monsters and insane weaponry. There's an online multiplayer element to this iteration, so replayability is definitely there.
If you're into classic first-person shooters where gore and horror abound, then Doom 3 is your bag, baby.
- $9.99 - Download now
Gone Home
Gone Home is a story exploration game where you examine objects and open drawers and doors to discover clues. You've been away for a year and come home thinking your family will be there to greet you, only to discover that the house is empty and you have no idea why.
Things may seem kind of creepy at first, and you'll uncover your sister's journal, complete with narration, as well as other objects from your childhood and things left behind. You likely won't expect the ending and you'll definitely feel all the feels throughout your journey, so be prepared for a lot of reading and an almost cinematic experience.
Gameplay is simple and barebones, but you like a good story exploration game, definitely check this one out, since it's pretty heavy on story.
- $19.99 - Download now
Sleeping Dogs
Crime never pays. I mean it does in terms of the money that gangs make from drugs and what have you, but it all comes back to bite them in the ass sooner or later. In Sleeping Dogs, you get to do the biting, playing as Hong Kong cop, Wei Shen, who's a streetwise badass martial artist, straddling the law and playing both sides to take down the city's biggest Triad gang.
If you enjoy open world games and have any love for the badassery of classic Hong Kong action movies, then Sleeping Dogs is right up your alley. You basically just get to go around kicking the crap out of criminals, while also playing the bad boy in some heavy undercover activity.
You'll have to live and learn as the game goes on, while honing your skills to survive twists and turns that are matters of life and death.
If you're up for an exciting action/adventure full of violence and intrigue, you got it.
- $29.99 - Download now
Darkest Dungeon
Darkest Dungeon is a very involved roguelike dungeon crawl with fantastic art, and an interesting twist on the genre, centering on the stress of adventuring. If your characters' stress levels get too high, you're gonna have a bad time.
Platformer Games Download
You'll fight wave after wave of all sorts of ghouls in turn-based combat, simply trying to keep your party alive and calm. This game isn't just about defeating monsters, but about defeating your party's personal demons as well. You'll have to chill out at taverns to keep everyone's stress in check, camp to deliver pep talks, and save the characters you love from all-too meaningful permadeath.
Fans of Lovecraft will adore Darkest Dungeon for it's great horror and awesome hand-drawn art style that gives everything a gritty, visceral feel. If you like scary-ass RPGs, then check it out.
- $24.99 - Download now
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm is a MOBA game in teams of five fantasy characters battle against one another for supremacy in a series of different game modes. You'll have to destroy opposing team members, as well as their structures to gain points for your team and ultimately win the match. Many MOBA-style games have the same problem: one person can be a hero and win the game on their own, while screwing over the rest of their team. Not the case in Heroes of the Storm, where if one team member isn't up to snuff, the rest of the team feels it.
One team, one dream!
Made by Blizzard, this is one of the best ARTS games around, with awesome characters, solid voice acting, great graphics, and necessary teamwork that doesn't make you want to drive your Magic Mouse through your 5K iMac screen.
HotS is free to play, but you'll be stuck with the playable characters offered to you, which rotate every week. You can earn gold in the game, but to get anything decent will take a looooong time. Therefore, you can buy heroes, skins, and mounts in the game with USD. Otherwise, play for free and just enjoy.
- Free, with in-app purchases - Download now
Portal 2
It doesn't matter which platform you're playing on, Portal 2 is hands-down one of the greatest video games of all time. It builds on the fun and weirdness of Portal from the Orange Box and throws you into a more fascinating story, with puzzles that never really feel like puzzles, since you're out of the testing chambers just trying to escape.
You once again play as Chell (the voiceless captive with the sweet boots and 'stubborn will to live') who is once again trying to escape the Facility, which she totally ruined years earlier. Wheatley, a personality core voiced by Stephen Merchant, revives Chell to escape the Facility with him, but all is not as it seems.
This game is incredibly atmospheric, often creepy and weird, as well as gut-bustingly hilarious. You'll learn about the history of the ruined Facility, mainly from GLaDOS (in an unusual form) and voice recordings from Aperture Science founder Cave Johnson, voiced by the legend J.K. Simmons (the funniest part of the game).
Portal 2 also has a sweet multiplayer mode where you play as testing robots Peabody and Atlas, working with a partner to frustratingly solve testing chambers (you might lose friends over some of the more difficult levels).
If you're at all into physics puzzles and hilarious, quirky games, then Portal 2 is not to be missed. Hell, even if you don't like puzzle games, play it. You'll be a better person for it. You can even download the stellar soundtrack for free
- $19.99 - Download now
Rocket League
Best Platformer Games Onm Machines
It's soccer. With cars. There really isn't much more to say except that's it's freakin' awesome. Think of a physics-based FIFA with wild and crazy vehicles and full-frontal multiplayer mayhem. And if those aren't enough hype buzzwords then imagine yourself as a small child, forced to play soccer in order to 'build character'. Now imagine that you're a child driving a monster truck around a massive enclosed arena, smacking giant balls around and flying and flipping around because physics.
Yeah.
If you're kind of into multiplayer sports games, but prefer them with a side of absolutely wacky, then Rocket League is totally for you.
- $19.99 - Download now
Undertale
Undertale is for those of you who are just sick and tired of having to murder innocent, repulsive monsters. If you've ever thought 'why can't I just talk to the monster instead', then you should play Undertale.
In this indie RPG, you play as a child who has fallen into the Underground, which is a large, isolated region beneath the Earth's surface, separated by a magical barrier. Along the way, you'll meet monsters and have to face them in mini bullet hell combat, where you can choose to spare them instead of killing them. The choices you make affect the outcome of the game, including the story, dialogue, and the characters you meet, as you try and make your way back to the surface.
Undertale was released to excellent critical praise, garnering Game of the Year nods from multiple gaming publications. If you love a good top-down RPG, with fantasy elements and the ability to be a pacifist, then Undertale is great for feeling the feels or kicking some serious hiney.
- $9.99 - Download now
Civilization V
I have Civ V on this list instead of VI, but might add VI when the bugs are ironed out. Sid Meier's Civilization V has you ruling the world from the dawn of man all the way into the space age, where you will wage wars and conquer nations in the pursuit of progress and total domination.
You'll also discover new technologies, strike treaties, and all that other diplomatic stuff that world leaders do.
There is a multiplayer mode, though it is restricted to a LAN.
If you're into amazing turn-based strategy games and love a good game of Risk, then Civ V is calling to you. Answer it.
- $29.99 - Download now
Myst
Originally released in 1993, Myst was recently revamped for the Mac, so that you can explore the open world of Myst Island and its Ages in a gloriously rebuilt environment. The world is completely interactive and you'll have to discover and solve puzzles in order to find books containing access to all of the Ages.
The ending of the game changes depending on the choices you make, and you'll be torn between helping one of two brothers or their father, with your own fate entirely unknown until it's too late. Myst is an absolute classic and the graphics update puts a modern spin on it, bringing the Myst you grew up with into the 21st Century.
If you love a classic puzzle game, a story filled with intrigue and twists, and open-world exploration games, then totally check out Myst.
- $17.99 - Download now
What do you play?
What's your favorite game for the Mac? Any absolute essentials I may have missed? Let me know in the comments below!
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Concepts everywhereAnother day, another iPhone 12 Pro concept. How much would you pay?
If reports are accurate we might be waiting a little while longer than normal for iPhone 12 Pro. But would you care if it looked like this?
Apple Arcade is now available to everyone for a mere $4.99 a month, which grants you unlimited, all-you-can-play access to a nice collection of games that grows by the day. But if you're just diving in, it can be a bit overwhelming to decide on what to play. If you're looking for a challenging platformer, here are the best ones, so take your pick!
All you can game
Apple Arcade
Play hundreds of games for one flat rate
Apple Arcade features over a hundred premium games with more add each day. There is something here for everyone in the family, and it's all for one low price each month!
THE BEST
Exit the Gungeon
- Studio: Devolver
- Age rating: 12+
- Use a gamepad? Yes
Exit the Gungeon is the direct sequel to the popular Enter the Gungeon. Except now, the Gungeoneers are trying to make their way out of the Gungeon, because it has become a paradox and is collapsing in on itself. You'll be armed with an ever-changing weapon, and you'll have to ascend your way to the top in order to escape. Depending on how you do, your weapon will change every couple of moments, so you need to learn to adapt to each randomized gun quickly. There are definitely some that are cooler to use than others, but in the end, they all serve the same purpose: blast away your enemies.
But it won't be easy, because each perilous elevator level will be filled with its own horde of dangerous enemies who you must blast away. This is a frantic and fast-paced bullet hell dungeon climber, and you'll need some good platforming skills to survive. If you can make it through all of the stages, then congratulations, you'll be able to say you successfully exited the Gungeon.
Projection: First Light
- Studio: Blowfish
- Age rating: 9+
- Use a gamepad? Yes
Shadows are all around us, and Projection: First Light explores just that. In Projection, players will follow along with Greta, a girl living in a mythological shadow puppet world, as she goes on a journey of self-enlightenment. Each world explores a different culture (Indonesia, China, Turkey, and 19th century England are a few examples) and features a legendary hero who will provide Greta with assistance. The game features an ethereal soundtrack that is made with antique instruments, so it's a truly unique experience.
If you are looking for a game that is beautiful, diverse, and has challenging puzzles to solve, then you can't go wrong with Projection: First Light.
Rayman Mini
- Studio: Ubisoft
- Age rating: 4+
- Use a gamepad? Yes
Good ol' Rayman, it's a classic that should be a staple in any gamer's collection of games. In Rayman Mini, Rayman has been shrunk and is no bigger than an ant! In order to undo this terrible spell, you'll need to turn the plants into your allies as you make your way through a micro-sized world. This is a running platformer so you get a fast-paced experience, but you can play at your own pace too. It's all about getting into the right rhythm and state of mind.
Rayman Mini is an excellent platformer because the controls are simple, and the levels are bright, lush, and vibrant. Since you're the size of an ant, it gives you a new look on life, and it's downright a ton of fun to play.
Spidersaurs
- Studio: WayForward Technologies
- Age rating: 12+
- Use a gamepad? Yes
Remember the good old days of Saturday morning cartoons? Spidersaurs captures the essence of that in a wacky platforming adventure. INGESTCorp, in an effort to solve world hunger, has created tasty eight-legged creatures with all the meat and muscle that humanity needs to survive forever. But the facility is soon breached, releasing the vengeful Spidersaurs upon the world! This is the tangy food with a bite that bites back. Play as former INGESTCorp food testers Adrian or Victoria to blast those pesky Spidersaurs back into the lab that they came out of with tons of weapons.
This is a crazy and action-packed shooting platformer that will keep you entertained for hours. We also love the cartoonish art style, because it goes perfectly with the intense action and crazy plot. There are plenty of guns and other powerups to make sure that you stop the food source that's gone wild.
Hot Lava
- Studio: Klei
- Age rating: 4+
- Use a gamepad? Yes
Remember that old childhood game crafted from your imagination, where the floor is lava and you must avoid touching the hot parts? Hot Lava is just that but totally reimagined in a video game. You'll explore nostalgic environments through a first-person perspective and you'll have to run, jump, climb, and even surf to reach the end and avoid melting in that lava.
While Hot Lava can be played just by yourself, there is an option to play together with friends or even compete against them for the best times on each stage. Think of it as your childhood and recess all over again!
Best Platformer Games Android
Shantae and the Seven Sirens
- Studio: WayForward Technologies
- Age rating: 12+
- Use a gamepad? Yes
Shantae is back in her fifth adventure! Everyone's favorite Half-Genie hero now has Fusion Magic available to explore a sunken city, make some new Half-Genie buddies, and go into battle against the Seven Sirens. The game features a vast and interconnected undersea world, and Fusion Magic lets you change instantly between new creature forms. There is also the signature Belly Dance move that lets you transform into epic Half-Genie Fusion Forms that grant you with incredible power for a limited time. You'll encounter new and old characters alike, but this game is a fantastic title that every platformer fan should check out.
Shantae is a series that is quite popular, and it's great to see the latest installment available on Apple Arcade. The animated TV-style cutscenes are of high quality and fantastic to watch, and there is plenty of content. You'll get mini-games, many magical spells and items to help you in the journey, and secrets galore.
EarthNight
- Studio: Cleaversoft
- Age rating: 9+
- Use a gamepad? Yes
EarthNight is a platformer game that is like a painting come to life and acts as a love letter to arcade classics. In the game, dragons have taken over and humanity has fled to space, leaving the Earth to dragonkind. You'll meet Stanley and Sydney as they make their way back to Earth by skydiving onto the backs of huge snake-like dragons. You'll need to jump and dash your way across the backs of multiple dragons, gain power-ups to slay enemies, all with a delightful chiptune soundtrack playing in the background. The levels are procedurally generated, so it's a new experience each time.
We really enjoyed our time with EarthNight. The art style is very distinctive, and that's because everything has been hand-painted. Yes, all 10000+ frames, including animation. And since each run is unique, you won't be bored. There are also more than 25 special power-ups that will alter the gameplay, spicing things up even further. This is one of the more interesting games that you'll find on Apple Arcade.
THE REST
Fledgling Heroes
- Studio: Subtle Boom
- Age rating: 9+
- Use a gamepad? Yes
Fledgling Heroes is a tropical platformer adventure that anyone (especially bird lovers) is sure to enjoy. You take on the role of Biscuit the Brave, who is a young macaw, on his journey to explore the islands. Simply tap to make Biscuit fly high, or reduce the taps to dip low. The goal is to maintain a good altitude to avoid enemies and obstacles while collecting shiny gold coins.
While it appears to be a simple concept, it's much harder than it looks! It takes practice to be able to maintain the right altitude and avoid danger, so take your time and perfect your flight across the islands to get the best scores.
Way of the Turtle
- Studio: Illusion Labs
- Age rating: 4+
- Use a gamepad? Yes
It's always about the journey, and Way of the Turtle is just that. It's your duty to help two turtles reunite once again, as they're both stranded on a tropical island in the middle of, you guessed it, nowhere. While it looks like a typical deserted island, it's anything but! It has been cursed by evil magic that is corrupting elements of the earth and transforming them into difficult obstacles and evil monsters. Fortunately, there are friendly gophers that will lend a hand in your quest, as well as magical shells that can give you special abilities to take on these dark forces.
This is definitely a charming platformer that is friendly for the entire family. The art style is fun and charming, and the Metroidvania-style stages will keep everyone entertained for a while, especially with all of the secrets to discover.
Stela
- Studio: SkyBox Labs
- Age rating: 9+
- Use a gamepad? Yes
For those who crave a cinematic and atmospheric platformer game, you'll fall in love with Stela. This platformer features a young woman who is witnessing the final days of a mysterious and ancient world. In Stela, you'll need to overcome many challenges, including dangerous terrain and huge beasts, without falling prey to the decaying land. You'll be manipulating your surroundings in order to solve puzzles and stealthily sneak past foes. The game is a challenge and provides an ambient experience.
The art in Stela appears simple but features a lot of mood and tone to tell the story. The puzzles will also keep your brain actively thinking of the best way to progress. But it is a bit slower-paced compared to some of the other titles in this list, so be aware.
Inmost
- Studio: Chucklefish Limited
- Age rating: 12+
- Use a gamepad? Yes
Inmost is a story-driven platformer that will make you think of games like LIMBO and INSIDE. It features a unique old-school pixel art style, with spooky dreamscapes in the background. You play as three characters, each with their own unique playstyle, that are all going to be intertwined in some way and form, and you'll explore a dark, abandoned castle while overcoming enemies who stand in your path.
There is a singular story in Inmost, but it takes place across two worlds that are connected. There are also plenty of secrets to discover and voice-acted cutscenes. This is definitely one of the best platformer games available, and each pixel is made with the utmost love and care from the developers.
Run, jump, dash, shoot, slash!
Apple Arcade is fairly cheap for what it is offering, which is dozens of high quality, premium games without a single ad or in-app purchase in sight. It's what mobile gaming should be, and there is something here for everyone. We've rounded up the best platformer games right now, and will continue to update this as more awesome titles hit the service.
What are your favorite platformers on Apple Arcade right now? Let us know in the comments!
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Concepts everywhereAnother day, another iPhone 12 Pro concept. How much would you pay?
If reports are accurate we might be waiting a little while longer than normal for iPhone 12 Pro. But would you care if it looked like this?